AN ATMOSPHERE THAT SIMPLY REEKS WITH CLASS

I have often thought my life is a bit like the children’s favourite Mr Ben - whose creator died this week. Like the lead character, I’ve changed roles and sectors a fair few times, going into my own virtual costume shop as one person - and coming out as someone else. Every change has been an adventure. Although, I have to confess, some outfits have fitted better than others.

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I wasn’t sure about the CEO’s clothes to start with. I confess I don’t think they were the best fit at the beginning. ?Some time on, I think I may, finally, have thrown off imposter syndrome and grown into them.

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Looking back, I didn’t much like being a banker. As I have often said, I loved the customers – much as I liked working on the check-out of a DIY superstore when I was a student: I just didn’t like banking. Ironic really as I thoroughly enjoyed running their media operation during the financial crisis. That was one of my all-time favourite ‘hard hat’ roles. And much like being a government press officer. I must say I do love a good crisis.

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Like many of you, my career has been varied. And it’s – mostly - been fun. Even if I still have to pinch myself to believe that someone like me, who attended a state comprehensive in a wee town in the far north, could have found myself at the centre of Whitehall and the gleaming towers of the City. It all seems a bit surreal to remember that I once worked for the Home Secretary, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Prime Minister. I still wake up in the mornings, look myself f in the mirror and think, ?I’m just me, for goodness’ sake! I hope I’ve done my teachers, mentors and Mother proud.

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So, it was with great interest I stepped back in time this week and drew back the changing-room curtain on the Construction Leadership Council’s meeting with, among other, government officials. The group has been discussing issues around the Building Safety Bill – as government routinely does with its key stakeholders when legislation is going to have an impact on the way they do things. ?As you would expect there was a detailed discussion about the new dutyholders.?No definitive answers on some issues – such as PII – yet. ?And it is clear much still remains to be worked through before things are implemented and after the Bill completes its parliamentary passage.

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It is, therefore, very timely – as I promised last week - that I can tell you our news. So – getting back to Watch with Mother – are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin: this year’s APS Spring conference – Wednesday 11 May 2022 - will be looking at the new building safety legislation in detail. Tickets are on sale now at www.hopin.com/events/spring-conference-4e22d660-221e-479e-8b6a-ca860eb18e26 or through our website at: www.aps.org.uk/events . The online, one-day event will cost members ￡120 and non-members - who are more than welcome to come along to the conference - will pay ￡180. Those prices include the VAT – tickets are, respectively, ￡100 and ￡150 without.

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I promise you it will be worth it. For the first time ever APS will get the message direct from the heart of government. We are delighted to have Lord Greenhalgh - the minister who took the Bill through the Lords - as our very special guest. He will be able to set out exactly where we are at, how we got there and where we go next. His attendance reflects how far the association has come and just how loud your voices have become.

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We will be briefing the minister’s office on your concerns so I need to ask a favour: send me your questions, your concerns and those things about the Building Safety Bill you want to get off your chest. ?Just email me at [email protected], putting ‘BSB’ in the title box, and I’ll make sure your comments are all passed along.

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I am really excited about our Spring fling. And the minister isn’t our only headline grabbing speaker. We welcome back Clare Price from the BSI to update us on the dutyholders. There’s the ever-expert Mark Snelling on hand to talk about where we’ve reached on the design of the roles and the regulations. Our legal eagles from Fladgate LLP will be joining us as will as our insurance expert, Paul James, who will lead a discussion to feed into wider industry discussions around PII. And, bringing up the rear – but no less valuable for that – we have our own Andrew Leslie and President Elect Ray Bone with a word on what APS will be doing to help you up upskill to meet the challenges the new legislation will bring.

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Just one last thing. We are using a professional production company to improve your experience and to help you get the most out of the event so don’t worry when you are taken to their boking platform. It’s till us!